State Board says $200 million underfunded in public school transportation

UPDATE: The Missouri Board of Education said transportation funding is $200 million in the hole.

Interim Commissioner -Roger Dorson- said the State Board will ask for $25 to $30 million a year from the general revenue fund in an effort to become fully funded in nine years.

“Right now, it’s being underfunded by $200 million,” Dorson said.

Jefferson City Public Schools said they are directly affected by the problem.

Jason Hoffman, the district’s chief financial officer, said the transportation deficit has directly impacted the district for years.

“It affects different school districts differently. If you think about Jefferson City Public Schools District, we’re a very large district and we cover about 222 square miles,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman said the district’s transportation cost are $2 million a year, but they only received $600,000 from the state, which leaves the district with $1.4 million to fill.

“So our local taxpayers have to pay for that, it’s coming right out of the classroom,” Hoffman said.

Dorson said the real issue is schools are required to pick up students that live 3.5 miles out.

Buses need fuel, new tires, and maintenance, and the drivers must be paid.

“It is not that the school district can say, we’re not going to transport those students,” Dorson said.

Dorson said he is confident that the new plan will help provide financial stability to the transportation problem.

State Board President Charlie Shields said there is “no rush” in filling the commissioner position.

ORIGINAL: The Missouri State Board of Education will give an update on its search for a new education commissioner during its scheduled meeting on Tuesday.

The Board of Education voted 5-3 to remove former Commissioner Margie Vandeven in December. Former Governor Eric Greitens was trying to get a majority of board members to vote Vandeven out at the time and succeeded after some back and forth between members he previously appointed.

Deputy Commissioner Roger Dorson has been serving as the interim commissioner until a replacement is found.

Board President Charles Shields will provide the update on the search Tuesday.